The welfare of our consumers and staff come first!
BayPath Elder Services is in close contact with the
MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs
, the
Department of Public Health
, and other state and local agencies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to follow their guidance, as well as the CDC recommended best practices. We are also in close communication with our extensive network of in-home service providers and community partners during this crisis.
We are continuing to provide services
and thank all of our consumers for being patient with us as we make the necessary adjustments to enforce all possible precautions to safeguard wellness.
|
|
Updates as of April 16, 2020
|
|
Home Delivered Meals
Combating senior isolation and malnutrition has always been at the forefront of our service goals and ensuring the well-being of homebound adults over 60 years of age is more important now than ever. Therefore, we are again leading this news update with the status of our home delivered meals program.
Status
BayPath's Meals on Wheels (MOW) delivery continues to run on a Tuesday and Friday schedule providing three meals on each delivery day so that our consumers are covered for the days in between deliveries. BayPath is also delivering shelf-stable groceries and groceries from our emergency food pantry as needed.
New Referrals
Additionally, the Nutrition Program is taking new referrals for individuals 60 years old and older, who are homebound and have limited support. To inquire about eligibility for MOW, call our main number
508-573-7200 and leave a message, which will then be routed to the Nutrition Department.
For those who are considering Meals on Wheels due to the COVID-19 crisis, MOW is a federally funded, no-cost program, but voluntary donations can be made. As mentioned above, we are delivering two days a week and supplying three meals (hot, cold, and frozen) at each delivery. Our volunteers will leave the meals at your door, announce their arrival, and step back the appropriate distance while you collect your meals.
Volunteers
When mass.gov suggested we shelter-in-place, our Nutrition Program lost almost 80% of its volunteers, since many were older and concerned about their risk of contracting the virus. We have worked diligently to rebuild our volunteer delivery drivers. If you have an interest in volunteering to supply those in need with home-delivered meals, you can call our main number and leave a message that you would like to become a MOW driver. We will return your call as quickly as possible.
508-573-7200.
|
|
Christine speaks with "Frank & Mary."
During this special COVID-19 issue of "Frank and Mary in Northborough,"
co-hosts
Arthur Bergeron
and
Christopher Lindquist talk to
Christine Alessandro Executive Director of BayPath Elder Services regarding resources available to Seniors in our MetroWest communities during this pandemic.
|
|
Thank you to Holliston Love!
During the pandemic, it is the thoughtfulness of others that makes the difference.
The Meals on Wheels program received a donation of 25 homemade masks from Holliston Love for our home delivered meals volunteer drivers. Holliston Love is a project of the
Holliston Senior Center.
BayPath Elder Services would like to thank Outreach Coordinator
Marty Schneier and the members of the Holliston Senior Center for donating the much needed masks!
|
|
|
Government Updates
(as of 4/15/2020)
|
|
On April 15, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration outlined the following ongoing steps:
Long-Term Care Facility Support & Funding
The COVID-19 Response Command Center continues working to detect, prevent, and manage the outbreaks of COVID-19 throughout the state. It is intensely focused on mitigating the spread of illness in senior living facilities. Governor
Baker announced the state would provide long-term care facilities with $130 million of additional funding, which Health and Human Services Secretary
Marylou Sudders said she expected would translate to higher staff wages.
Additionally, in an effort to boost staffing at long-term care facilities — strained in some places even before the pandemic — Baker said there will be a $1,000 signing bonus for anyone who registers to work for them through the state's online portal for a certain period of time.
Expanded Mobile Testing
The Commonwealth’s Mobile Testing program, a partnership between the Department of Public Health, the National Guard, and the Broad Institute, has improved access to testing for nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living facilities to test more people. On April 13th, the Administration updated testing guidance to encourage long-term care facilities to conduct widespread testing for residents, even if they have no symptoms, and staff.
PPE Distribution
Since the beginning of March, the Command Center has distributed nearly 1.3 million masks, almost 200,000 gowns and over 2 million gloves to long-term care facilities.
For the full
April 15, 2020 press release from the
Baker-Polito Administration,
click here.
|
|
COVID-19 cases by City/Town
For the first time, Massachusetts Department of Public Health has release town-by-town coronavirus cases.
The state has previously only released the COVID-19 data by county.
For the full list of cases with all Massachusetts Towns, as provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
click here
.
|
|
|
Coming together via Webinars and video conferencing.
The technology is easier to use than you may think!
COVID-19 and Caring for Individuals With Alzheimer's
This webinar will include helpful information for those taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease during the COVID-19 emergency.
April 23, 2020 at 3-4 p.m. (PT)
_____________________________________________________________________
Alzheimer's Association is offering several workshops as well as online support groups for family caregivers. Once you register, ALZ.org sends you all the login info you need.
Caregiver group for young onset dementia
April 20 – May 25 (Mondays) from 6-7 p.m.
Caregiver group: If you have a loved one in a facility & cannot visit due to Covid-19
April 24 – May 29 (Fridays) 2–3 p.m.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.
April 23 (Thursday) at
7– 8:30 p.m.
|
|
Keeping our BayPath Consumers Informed
|
|
Keep up with proven facts regarding coronavirus
The best place to stay informed from data from a credible medical agency.
|
|
As previously mentioned, BayPath will continue to update our website and social media platforms as rapidly as possible.
(See below for links.)
|
|
Stay-at-home advisory still in place
The state's stay at home advisory and mandatory closures of non-essential businesses are still in place until noon on May 4, 2020.
|
|
Sincerely,
Christine Alessandro
Executive Director
BayPath Elder Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
